I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are. 
Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs. 
1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97. 
The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers. 
The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones. 
I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic.  — 7 months ago

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. 
Inky in color with a short reddish rim. 
Fruity nose and full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla, light earth, herbs, spices, cola, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, licorice and pencil lead.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich and extracted. Tangy and elegant. 
Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel, and good by itself as a sipping wine. 
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.
Drinking much better now than when I had it three years ago. 
This 10 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
A blend of 85% Cabernet, 8% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec. Aged in (93% new) French Oak barrels for 20 months. 
14.9% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$180. — 9 months ago
It's time for a celebration! 
Inky in color with short reddish/purplish rim. 
Gorgeous nose of sweet blueberries, blackberries, black plum preserve, dried figs, mediterranean spices, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, light alcohol, herbs, peppercorn, eucalyptus and light black tea. 
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs. 
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, dried figs, light bitter herbs, light earth, cola, light vegetables, spices and tobacco leaf. 
Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries. 
This young Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully already. Rich and fruit forward. Complex and interesting. 
Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Spicy, tangy and entertaining. Majestic, with good structure. 
Good right out of the bottle and so much better after 3 hours in the decanter. 
Already showing a very complex nose, even at this young age. Very impressive. 
 
I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. 
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Has good potential to become a 97+ point wine. 
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak. 
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 
14.9% alcohol by volume.
95 points. 
$175. — a month ago
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.
Nose of blueberries, black plums, black currants, coffee, licorice, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth and herbs.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, blood notes, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, barnyard, light vegetables, light tar and black pepper. 
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Syrah from the Rocks District in Walla Walla Valley. In your face kind of wine. Rich, extracted and complex. Nicely balanced and elegant. Interesting stuff. 
Good right out of the bottle, and better after a couple of hours of airtime. 
This 6 year old Syrah is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years and see how it evolves. 
A great sipping wine that also paired nicely with a big piece of steak. 
13.5% alcohol by volume. 
93 points. 
$350. — 2 months ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. 
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/brick rim. 
Fruity nose with blackberries, black plums, dried figs, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, chocolates, spices, herbs, light eucalyptus, light earth, black tea and black pepper.
Full-bodied, soft and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs. 
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, licorice, light herbs, spices, light earth, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn, coffee and cola. 
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa valley. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and complex. Well balanced and elegant.
An iconic wine that still needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Although it is 9 years old, it still feels very young. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. This Single Vineyard is showing great potential.
Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after 3 hours of decanting.
Wine Advocate 98 points. Wine Spectator 96 points. 
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak. 
14.8% alcohol by volume. 
94 points.
$750. — 7 months ago
Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship Cabernet, crafted only in exceptional years. The 2018 vintage stands tall among recent releases, showing why Chuck Wagner’s vision continues to shape Napa’s most recognized “luxury Cab.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor vineyards, it strikes the perfect balance between Caymus’ signature ripe, fruit-forward style and an added layer of structure from a long, balanced growing season.
Aromas & Flavors
A powerful bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with cocoa nibs, espresso, and baking spices. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, and vanilla lift the complexity, while a core of lush fruit drives the palate. The oak integration is seamless, giving a supple sweetness without overwhelming the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Rich, opulent, and velvety—yet with surprising finesse. The tannins are silky and well-structured, giving length without heaviness. The finish lingers on black fruit and mocha, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it vibrant.
Winemaking Notes
Meticulous fruit selection, long maceration for concentration, and extended aging in new French oak (18+ months). The Wagner hallmark: generous fruit expression wrapped in polished oak for immediate pleasure but with aging potential.
Food Pairing
An indulgent pairing with ribeye, prime rib, or braised short ribs. For a decadent twist, try it with dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb with rosemary.
Verdict
One of the most impressive Caymus Special Selection vintages in recent memory—showing both lush Napa Valley opulence and refined elegance. A wine that thrills now but promises to shine for years.
Personal Pick Highlight
This 2018 stands as my favorite Caymus of the modern decade—a true benchmark that captures everything people love about Napa Cabernet at its richest and most expressive. Cheers!
 — 2 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday 
Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.
Nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light mildew, earth, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, light forest floor and black pepper.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Very dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth, dried meats, black tea and light vegetables.
Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 19 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône is still drinking nicely, although definitely not at its peak anymore.
Not in your face kind of wine at this point. Elegant, with nice complexity. Interesting, and still powerful.
Mildew and forest floor notes start to disappear after 90 minutes in the decanter. Still showing some fruit notes though, which is nice to see. 
Good by itself or with food. 
13% alcohol by volume. 
90 points.
$80. — 4 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday 
Inky in color with a short purple rim.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Showing blackberries, cooked cherries, dried fruits, cedar, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper. 
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 15 year old still feels young, but drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced and powerful, yet elegant.
 
Needed 5 hours to open up properly, but was good right out of the bottle too.
Rich and extracted. Fruit forward with nice complexity. Showing a great experience at this point. 
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$300. — 7 months ago
"Odedi" 
 
#KosherWineSunday
Inky in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blue and black fruits with mediterranean spices, light cedar, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, light earth, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is drinking wonderfully now. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and soft.
Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
Complex and engaging. Tangy and spicy.
Interesting, and good by itself as a sipping wine.
Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$50. — 19 days ago